Archaeologists have made a stunning discovery in Israel’s town of Ramla: a surprising treasure trove of gold and silver dating back to the 8th to 11th centuries AD. The find, characterized as evidence of the “wealth and grandeur” of the early Islamic period, includes a remarkable collection of coins, jewelry, and artisanal items.
The excavation, led by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), unearthed the treasure amidst the ruins of houses and shops in Ramla in 2006. Among the discoveries were a cache of coins from the Abbasid and Fatimid periods (8th to 11th centuries AD).
Similar treasures have been found in Jerusalem’s ancient city, including coins over a thousand years old. The Ramla finds also include copper weights and a merchant’s scale, along with gold and six silver bracelets.
One notable item is a gold bracelet adorned with intricate patterns and an Arabic inscription that translates to “I wish you complete well-being”. Another standout piece is a silver bracelet with an amulet box attached, decorated with floral motifs and Quranic verses praising God.
Two of the largest items in the treasure trove are 170-gram silver ankle bracelets. Similar bracelets have been found near Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, a significant site in both Jewish and Islamic traditions.
However, the gold bracelets found in Ramla represent a rare discovery, known only from museum collections until now.
The IAA stated, “This is the first time that gold bracelets have been found in an archaeological excavation.” The treasures are now on display at the Israel Museum, open to the public for viewing.
Earlier this year, the IAA revealed how offshore divers discovered a cache of coins and ancient statues along Israel’s coastline. The rare treasures were found at Caesarea Harbor, a Roman-era port on the Mediterranean coast.
A few years ago, a pair of divers stumbled upon a 1,600-year-old Roman cargo ship beneath the harbor’s waters. The shipwreck yielded an array of fascinating artifacts, sparking comprehensive research into the vessel.
The discoveries at Caesarea National Park also uncovered a statue of a ram, believed to represent Jesus Christ. Remarkably, the statue was found on Christmas Eve in 2015.
